Know The Species So You Feed The Correct Turtle Food To Your Pet
Knowing what kind of turtle you have is important so that you are able to feed them a proper diet. If you do
your research before visiting the pet store, you are more likely to find a pet that will fit your needs and you
will know the proper turtle food for which to feed them.
The Aquatic Turtle Food Diet
Most species of aquatic turtles are carnivorous. This means that will thrive on a diet that is at least 65% to
as high as 90% of animal protein. This should be supplemented with 10% to 35% of vegetable based food products. It
is important you know the species to insure you are feeding the correct turtle food to your new pet.
Commercial turtle food and earthworms can comprise up to 25% of your pet's diet. Other foods they will enjoy are
live feeder fish, commercial dried trout pellets, rehydrated cat food, mollusks and snails, as well as frozen
pinkie mice. Keep in mind that for those species that are carnivorous, juveniles will need to eat more animal
protein while growing than when they become adults.
Grated carrot and clover are part of the aquatic turtle food diet. Recommended greens are collard, mustard and
dandelion. They will also enjoy small quantities of grapes, cantaloupe, mango and apple. Just be sure you are not
feeding them the seeds.
The Semi-Aquatic Turtle Food Diet
The semi-aquatic turtle is considered an omnivore. This means they will eat a diet that is 50% fruits and
vegetables and 50% of animal protein. As we mentioned, it is vital that you know your turtle's species in order to
feed them a well balanced diet. Your semi-aquatic turtle may need a diet of animal protein from 10% to 50%. Some
foods you may want to feed your turtle are commercial turtle food and trout pellets. They also enjoy eating live
crickets and earthworms. You are advised to buy these items so as not to spread diseases that may be carried by
their wild counterparts.
The fruit and vegetable portion of their diet should be between 50% and 90% of their total diet. Turtle food in this category is collard, mustard or dandelion greens, endive, grated
carrots, flower heads and winter squash. They also will enjoy strawberries and other types of berries as well as
cantaloupe.
You may find that your turtle enjoys a particular food. It is okay to indulge him, but be sure he is not eating
that particular food exclusively, rather as part of a well balanced diet to insure he is getting all the proper
nutrients he needs to live a long and healthy life.
Doing a bit of research before you purchase your pet turtle can make it easier for you to build the proper living
quarters to keep your turtle content. It can make finding the right balance of turtle food simpler which will only
benefit the new addition to your family.
Pet Turtle Care Tip #1
Turtles are members of the Reptile family and they are some of the oldest living creatures
on the planet. They have been around for more than two hundred million years. This makes them as
old as the dinosaurs. There are hundreds of different kinds of turtles all over the planet.
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Pet Turtle Care Tip #2
Sea turtles are the most popular of all of the turtles. These are also some of the largest
creatures—some sea turtles can grow to more than six feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds.
Scientists think that sea turtles are actually land creatures that went back into the water and
never came out. Over time their limbs evolved to make them stronger swimmers and to keep them in
the water: their front appendages are actually flippers.
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Pet Turtle Care Tip #3
All turtles, even sea turtles, are air breathing creatures. While some turtles can stay
under the water for hours at a time, they all must surface at least once a day to stay alive. There
is one turtle, the giant turtle that only has to surface once a day to take in air. There are some
studies being done to see if some species of turtle might be able to draw oxygen from their cells
much like some fish use their gills to breathe.
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